Fertilising Cymbidiums

[Bluey]

Is it more beneficial to fertilise the roots by pouring soluble fertiliser onto the top of the pot, or to spray the foliage with the same fertiliser? If root fertilising is better, should I pour it on until the water runs from the bottom of the pot? I usually use 50% the recommended rate.

[tucker85]

I did not get good results using only foliar spraying of fertilizer. I don't grow cymbidiums but it's probably true for them also. Personally my technique is to water the plants first and then pour a reasonable amount of fertilizer into the medium. My goal is to get some nutrients into the medium without wasting a lot of expensive fertilizer. I don't want a lot of fertilizer to run out of the pot. I also take a small hand sprayer and spray some fertilizer on the foliage.

[orchidsarefun]

I have read about people using long-lasting granules - say 3 months - during the active growing season. I used them last year and they worked well, am going to use again. We have a brand Osmocote that release ALL fert at 70f, I am trying to find the longer lasting one as I have seen used on paphs as well.
I sprinkled on the surface of the medium, its easier to see when a replenishment is needed....
I have never used foliar feed but only because I don't believe in it...

[Ray]

Fertilizers based upon nitrate-or ammonium forms of nitrogen are very poorly absorbed by plant foliage. Urea, on the other hand, is absorbed better - not great, but better.

Even so, roots provide a much more efficient uptake of nutrients, especially in orchids.